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The reviews published on vpnMentor are written by experts that examine the products according to our strict reviewing standards. Such standards ensure that each review is based on the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, and takes into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings we publish may take into consideration the affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website.
AirVPN Review 2022 - Keep This in Mind Before Buying
Founded in 2010, AirVPN started as a passion project for a group of individuals dedicated to internet privacy and net neutrality. It offers a large selection of 7 subscription plans, which makes it seem like it would be a good value for money. So, I was curious to test it out and see how it works with some of the popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, and others.
It offers a generous server network of 246 servers located in 22 countries. Additionally, you can choose to secure your connection with either the OpenVPN (Open SSL provides AES 256-bit encryption) or WireGuard protocol.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to properly test AirVPN because when I scanned its Windows client for viruses, it was flagged for malware.
And while AirVPN’s privacy policy states that there is no data logging, you need to keep in mind that the service is based in Italy, a member of the 14 Eyes Alliance.
Not suitable for streaming. There is no mention of AirVPN’s suitability as a streaming VPN on its website, and forum users have also complained about not being able to access Netflix with it. See how AirVPN performs when it comes to streaming.
Average privacy and security. While AirVPN claims that it does not log data, the veracity of this claim cannot be confirmed. It uses OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols with AES 256-bit encryption. But unfortunately, during my tests, its Windows installer was flagged for containing malware. Take a look at the results of my virus test here.
Might be suitable for torrenting. AirVPN offers unlimited speeds and supports port forwarding and P2P traffic, but its no-logs policy hasn’t been audited. See whether you would use AirVPN for torrenting.
Straightforward to set up. The macOS, Windows, and Android apps are very easy to set up — it takes just a couple of clicks. However, routers and iOS devices will need to be set up manually. Take a look at how easy AirVPN is to set up.
Plenty of subscription options. You can choose from 7 different plans and all of them come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Check out AirVPN’s range of plans.
Unfortunately, I was not able to properly test AirVPN’s streaming capabilities as my VirusTotal test showed that its Windows client contained malware.
So, instead, I sent an email to its customer service asking them if AirVPN works with streaming sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and Hulu. Unfortunately, I did not receive a reply from AirVPN’s customer service team, even after 3 working days.
Because I didn’t hear back from support, I decided to check out its official forum. From the customers’ posts and the staff’s replies, I found out that AirVPN doesn’t unblock any of the platforms mentioned above.
Blocked By: Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max
On the forum I found a couple of posts that said AirVPN doesn’t unblock Netflix anymore.
Even the forum’s moderator agrees that AirVPN is unreliable when it comes to unblocking Netflix.
The same is also true for BBC iPlayer as many users have complained that AirVPN can’t unblock the platform. Its staff on the official forums have mentioned that AirVPN’s UK-based IP addresses are blocked by BBC iPlayer. Also, they say that Hulu blocks all of its servers.
As I couldn't install AirVPN’s Eddie client for Windows, it was impossible to test AirVPN's speeds properly.
So instead, I gathered information from AirVPN’s website and forums for a more definite set of answers.
AirVPN promises unlimited maximum speeds, but this is dependent on the server’s current load. You need only 5 Mbps for HD streaming and VPNs usually drop down your speeds by 20% or more (depending on the VPN). So, if your base speeds aren't extremely low, you should be able to have a good streaming quality with AirVPN (if you manage to unblock any platforms).
However, it guarantees that you will have a minimum bandwidth of 4 Mbps for downloads and uploads with no traffic or time limits.
From my research, it looks like AirVPN’s speeds should be fast enough for gaming.
I visited AirVPN’s official forums for more information, and I found that it unlocks VoIP features such as voice chat and does not increase ping by too much.
Important: While most forum members have praised the service as a gaming VPN, it should also be noted that your latency is also dependent on the proximity of the server that you are connected to. Thus, the further away from the server, the higher your latency becomes.
Compared to its competitors, AirVPN has a moderately-sized server network of 246 servers spread out across 22 countries, from Austria to Japan and from Spain to Singapore.
The Netherlands has the highest number of servers at 68, closely followed by the US and Canada, with 37 and 33 servers, respectively.
From the locations shown, it’s also evident that AirVPN primarily targets users located in Europe and the US, with servers available in most major cities.
Country (City)
Austria (Vienna)
Netherlands (Alblasserdam)
Belgium (Brussels)
New Zealand (Auckland)
Bulgaria (Sofia)
Norway (Oslo)
Brazil (São Paulo)
Romania (Bucharest)
Canada (Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver)
Serbia (Belgrade)
Czech Republic (Prague)
Singapore (Singapore)
Estonia (Tallinn)
Spain (Barcelona and Madrid)
Germany (Frankfurt and Munich)
Sweden (Stockholm and Uppsala)
Ireland (Dublin)
Switzerland (Zürich)
Japan (Tokyo)
Ukraine (Kyiv)
Latvia (Riga)
UK (London and Manchester)
US (Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Fremont, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Pennsylvania (state), and Phoenix)
Support for users in Asia is limited with only 16 servers split between Singapore and Japan. Before July 2020, there were several Hong Kong-based servers, but these were taken down due to legal issues in China.Unfortunately, the same doesn’t apply to South American users who only have 2 Brazil-based servers, while there are no servers in the Middle East or Africa.
Given its smaller server network, you may face slowdowns during peak demand periods. Fortunately, I saw that AirVPN has a server status page that lets you view current server loads. I also liked the server issues log that provides you with an up-to-date report of any problems, the name of the affected server, and the duration. A list of past issues is also available.
AirVPN’s servers are named after stars in the solar system, which gets confusing as they all have exotic-sounding names.
As I wasn’t able to access AirVPN’s app, I am unsure whether there are search or filter options. These options can help you easily find servers without having to scroll through the whole server list.
And if you don’t have access to AirVPN’s native client you can use the OpenVPN Config Generator to automatically generate OpenVPN configuration files for your chosen OS, server, and location.
Also, I took a look at AirVPN’s FAQs to see how many IP addresses are offered per server and I found that it offers 4 entry-IPv4 and 4 entry-IPv6 addresses for each server.
AirVPN has a good list of security features, but the Windows installer was flagged for malware during my VirusTotal tests, meaning that the VPN is far from secure.
Before installing the Windows client, I performed a scan using VirusTotal and was disappointed that the installer file contained the 'BScope.Trojan.Sabsik.FL' virus.
This type of malware works by taking over a victim's computer and making it unusable; in some cases, the victim then has no choice but to pay a ransom.
On the bright side, AirVPN offers one of the most secure protocols — OpenVPN, and doesn't support older and less secure ones such as PPTP, L2TP, SSTP, and IPsec.
While AirVPN is not available with IKEv2, there is support for WireGuard on all OSs. Also, its staff have included instructions on how to use WireGuard with or without the Eddie client on the forum.
These are some of the most secure encryption protocols in the world, such as AES with 256-bit keys, which is widely acknowledged as the gold standard for VPNs.
AirVPN provides additional security with perfect forward secrecy which prevents hackers or the authorities from gaining access to your past data.
Also, it supports OpenVPN over SSH, OpenVPN over SSL, and OpenVPN over Tor. That way, you can rest assured that your data is kept safe at all times.
In terms of connection protocols, AirVPN supports all of the following TCP/UDP protocols: 53 TCP/UDP, 80 TCP/UDP, and 443 TCP/UDP.
You’ll be pleased to know that all of AirVPN’s servers have their own DNS servers and you can create custom servers with OpenNIC or Namecoin. This adds another layer of security to your data.
I was also impressed to see that the service allows multi-hopping. This feature allows you to hide your exit IP address by connecting to multiple servers, making it much more difficult to track you.
As I couldn’t properly test AirVPN’s DNS leak security, I sent AirVPN’s customer support team an email asking about DNS leaks and if they offered stealth servers, along with split tunneling.
AirVPN’s reply was rather vague when it came to stealth servers, but they did mention that the service offers DNS servers within the virtual network and split tunneling.
Split tunneling lets you choose what traffic (IPs) you would like to go through the VPN tunnel and what traffic to go outside the VPN tunnel (i.e., through your ISP’s servers). This is useful if you don’t need to secure all your traffic with the VPN allowing you to encrypt some data without having to sacrifice speeds for other traffic, like streaming.
AirVPN also comes with a kill switch called Network Lock — a feature that blocks all outgoing IPv4/IPv6 communications if you are suddenly disconnected from the VPN.
If it wasn’t for the malware, I would be happy with the security AirVPN offers since it provides many beneficial features.
Data logging can be used to track your internet activity and determine your identity. So, it’s good to see that AirVPN clearly states that it does not keep activity logs of that kind.
To be extra sure since there’s no audit to prove this policy, I also sent an email to the AirVPN team to determine what data exactly is logged to maintain the service. Unfortunately, my queries went unanswered.
And while AirVPN states that you have a right to request for your data to be deleted, the unresponsive customer support team leaves much to be desired. It would’ve been much better if its privacy policy listed all the technical data AirVPN collects, but unfortunately, it’s pretty vague.
On the plus side, it’s good to see that AirVPN doesn’t require you to use an actual email address when you’re signing up, which helps you to avoid leaving a digital trail.
All of this is well and good, but there are several things that you should be aware of. While your data may be protected under the EU GDPR, AirVPN is owned by AirVPN di Paolo Brini, an Italian company.
And as Italy is a member of the 14 Eyes Alliance, AirVPN could be forced by the authorities to hand over information about its users to the government, if needed.
As the virus test showed that AirVPN’s Windows client contained malware, I wasn’t able to install it on my PC.
So instead, I took a look at the list of features offered by AirVPN to see if the service can be used for torrenting.
Let’s start with the good…
First of all, AirVPN’s FAQ clearly states that P2P protocols are supported, which means that torrenting is possible. Further supporting this is the fact that port forwarding (up to 20 ports simultaneously) is also available, meaning that you can configure your connection to speed up your downloads.
Additionally, there are no speed limits imposed on users, meaning that you can probably torrent at speeds similar to the ones when using a local server.
And if you’re worried about data privacy, AirVPN’s Network Lock ensures that your data will be kept private.
And now, for the bad…
As AirVPN is headquartered in Italy, a country that is a member of the 14 Eyes Alliance, there is a risk that the company may be forced to share your data with other member countries.
And while AirVPN claims that it does not log any data, this cannot be confirmed without a cybersecurity audit.
vpnMentor does not condone illegal torrenting or file-sharing of copyrighted materials.
If you choose to download torrents, check your country’s regulations and ensure that you are not downloading copyrighted material.
I sent an email to AirVPN’s customer service team to check if the VPN works in China, but they did not reply.
On the bright side, AirVPN’s staff have included a guide for Android and iOS users to manually set up their devices to use AirVPN in China by using the TCP protocol and connecting to port 443.
According to AirVPN’s staff, the Android Eddie client has been updated to automatically configure separate entry and exit IP addresses.
Also, if you’re in a country with strict internet censorship like Russia, Turkey, or Iran, AirVPN’s Tor over VPN, OpenVPN, and SSH/SSL protocols are designed to circumvent any internet restrictions.
Until recently, AirVPN had several servers based in Hong Kong, but it withdrew them after new regulations in China came into effect.
Note: Only government–approved VPNs are permitted in China. However, no tourists have been penalized for using a non-government-approved VPN there. They usually go after the VPN technology, not the people using the VPNs.
Simultaneous Device Connections — Allowed
AirVPN supports a maximum of 5 simultaneous connections on all plans. This makes AirVPN a good choice for anyone looking to get their money's worth.
AirVPN is also available for routers, thus allowing you to connect all your home devices at once.
AirVPN’s native app is known as Eddie and it is available on Windows 7, 8, and 10 (Vista and XP are not recommended), macOS, Linux (including Raspberry Pi), Android (phones and tablets), Amazon Fire TV, and Fire TV Stick.
However, the client is not available for iOS (iPhones and iPads) and Chrome OS users. Instead, you will have to set up AirVPN manually using a third-party client i.e. OpenVPN.
AirVPN also works with DD-WRT, Tomato, AsusWRT, and pfSense routers, but there is no native app available, so you will have to set it up manually. Fortunately, there are brand-specific guides available on AirVPN’s official forums to help you along the way.
If you have a PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo console, you can connect to AirVPN via router or a shared connection from a device running AirVPN. The same also applies to smart TVs like Apple TV, and streaming devices like Roku and Chromecast.
Unfortunately, AirVPN doesn’t offer browser plug-ins, so you won’t be able to use it on Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
Setup & Installation — Straightforward for Most Devices
AirVPN is easy to use and install for PC users and Android devices but complicated for iOS.
Windows (7, 8, and 10), Linux users, and macOS users have to:
Click on the “Download” button on AirVPN’s homepage.
Then, you’ll be prompted to choose your OS.
Once you’ve chosen your OS, you will be asked to “Choose your flavor”.
Click on the big “Download” button, and the installer will start downloading automatically.
Click on the installer file at the bottom left side to install Eddie.
In terms of pricing, AirVPN is an affordable VPN service.
All of AirVPN's plans offer the same features, with the only difference being the active subscription period.
Its prices start for a long-term plan start at $2.87/month. You can also get short-term plans if you want to use it for a shorter period, but yearly ones are always a better value.
According to AirVPN’s team, you can sign up for a free trial by raising a ticket from your account. I followed the instructions to request a free trial but did not receive a reply.
AirVPN provides support via email, a ticketing system, FAQs, and the official AirVPN forum.
Emails are sent directly to AirVPN’s help desk while the ticketing system requires you to fill in an online form. You can also look for answers in the FAQ section or the official forum.
The customer service team is mediocre at best. Some of my emails went unanswered, where others received a reply in less than 24 hours.
But it somewhat makes up for this with an active forum and a helpful, knowledgeable community.
Also, note that all communications, FAQs, and forum posts are in English only.
Most likely not. When I contacted AirVPN’s customer service, they did not confirm whether the service could bypass Netflix’s geo-restrictions. Also, information gathered from AirVPN’s forums indicated that the VPN service cannot unblock Netflix.
AirVPN is by far the slowest VPN I have ever used. Whichever protocol and/or server I have used, it didn't make any difference. My internet speed decreased by over 90%, download speed as well as upload speed. When you take a look at the AirVPN forum, you will notice loads of users are experiencing the same issue, for which AirVPN obviously has no solutions.
Just signed up for 2 more years with AirVPN. Yes, there are other higher-rated services, but AirVPN always works perfectly and is reasonably priced. I run it on Windows, Linux, and OSX, which does limit the contenders. The main usage is secure browsing when traveling and file transfer.
I like that it uses OpenVPN and also that it is NOT at the top of the list. OpenVPN is very secure and with a lower rating is unlikely to be a hacking / DOS/government target.
I could go on about great AirVPN is, but really, it would be like telling you how much I like my water or electricity utility. It just works and I don't think about it more than once every two years when I need to renew my subscription.
First rate VPN for those that are into things OTHER than Netflix, gaming etc.
If you are a journalist, dissident, researcher, blogger, commenter, troll (LOL), etc. this is a VPN to seriously consider. It's well respected within those circles. Works with TOR as "VPN over Tor" and has settings to make this a bit easier, but does take some level of skill to set this highly anonymous (and potential attention-drawing) configuration up. Many of the advised VPNs DO NOT work with TOR in "VPN OVER Tor mode (Your VPN connects through the Tor network not vice-versa). This is not your "regular Joe consumer" VPN. It's for folks with far more to do than watching videos and playing video games. The server selection is more than enough to move around the globe.
AirVPN is by far the slowest VPN I have ever used. Whichever protocol and/or server I have used, it didn't make any difference. My internet speed decreased by over 90%, download speed as well as upload speed. When you take a look at the AirVPN forum, you will notice loads of users are experiencing the same issue, for which AirVPN obviously has no solutions.